Picker control for label-applying machines



Nov. 7, 1950 s. 'r. CARTER 2,528,944

PICKER CONTROL FOR LABEL APPLYING MACHINES Filed Jan. 25, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 7, 1950 s, CARTER 2,528,944

PICKER CONTROL FOR LABEL APPLYING MACHINES Filed Jan. 25, 1949 s sheet's-sheet 2 Nov. 7, .1950 s. T. CARTER PiCKER CONTROL FOR LABEL APPLYING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet '3'.

Nov. 7, 1950 s. T. CARTER 2,528,944

PICKER CONTROL FOR LABEL APPLYING MACHINES Filed Jan. 25, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 7, 1950 s. T. CARTER 2,528,944

PICKER CONTROL FOR LABEL APPLYING MACHINES Filed Jan. 25, 1949 s Sheets-Shet 5 Patented Nov. 7, 1950 PICKER CONTROL FOR LABEL-APPLYING MACHINES Sidney T. Carter, Worcester, Mass, assignor to Economic Machinery Company, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 25, 1949, Serial No. 72,641 24 Claims. (o1. 216 54) This invention pertains to label-applying machines, more especially to an improved control mechanism designed to prevent withdrawal of labels from the supply or the application of adhesive to the surface of a transfer pad whenever for any reason there is no article to be labeled in the label-receiving position at the proper time in the cycle of operations. The invention is herein illustrated by way of example in its application to a machine of the kind disclosed in the patent to Ekvall No. 1,630,235, dated May 24, 1927, but modified as to the pickers and related parts as shown in the patent to Carter No. 2,414,019, dated January '7, 1947.

The Ekvall machine is the kind commonly known as a straight-away machine, the articles to be labeled being progressed step-by-step along a substantially rectilinear path, stopping at the label-receiving position to receive a label and then continuing on in the same direction. Ihe machine of the Ekvall patent illustrates the use of spaced, swinging picker elements which receive a coating of gum from a gum-applying roll, then advance to a magazine where a label adheres to the gummed surface of the pickers and then retract to a transfer position adjacent to the article to be labeled where they dwell while a transfer pad enters between the picker elements and carries the label from the picker elements to the article to be labeled. In the patented machine the shaft which carries the pickers is rocked back and forth by means including a knuckle joint whose parts are normally in a substantially straight line. When the parts of the knuckle joint are so positioned, the picker is swung through a predetermined arc and at one limit of its motion contacts the labels in the magazine. However, in the absence of an article at the labelin position, a feeler device, responsive to the presence or absence of an article to be labeled, actuates means operative to.

break the knuckle joint, with the result of shortening the arc of movement of the picker shaft sufliciently to prevent the picker from reaching the magazine. Thus, delivery of labels from the magazine is prevented except when an article is properly positioned to receive a label.

In the patent to Carter the picker elements are shown as being laterally separable and a pneumatic transfer pad is employed. When the picker elements (then disposed edge-to-edge) arrive at the transfer position carrying a label adherent to their gummed surfaces, the picker elements slide away from each other to right and left while the pneumatic transfer pad by suction grips the label. The transfer pad then advances between the separated picker elements to place the label on the article. Inthis Carter arrangement, although means were employed,

as in Ekvall, to prevent the picker from'taking a label from the magazine (in the event that there is no article at the label-receiving position), the gum-coated picker if it should return empty to the transfer point would apply gum to the surface of the pneumatic transfer pad. The adhesive coating thus applied to the transfer pad would cause the next label delivered adhesively to cling to the transfer pad, thus pre-i venting the proper operation of the machine."

vents the picker (although it receives its usual.

coating of adhesive) from taking labels from the magazine, but also prevents the application of adhesive to the pneumatic transfer pad in the event that no article is present at the labelreceiving position at the proper time in the cycle of operations. A further object is to provide control means employing substantially the same basicmechanism as that disclosed in the Ekvall patent but modified for use in a machineemploying the Carter type of picker. A further object is to provide a very simple modification of the control mechanism of the Ekvall patent whereby the desired result is accomplished. A further object is to provide improved picker and transfer means for use in a label-applying machine, whether of the straight-away type like that of Ekvall, or of other type, for example, the so-called semi-automatic machine, in which the articles to be labeled are fed by hand. whereby the improvident application of gum to a transfer element is prevented.

In machines which employ a pneumatic transfer pad it has been customary to provide an air pump of conventional type having a cylinder and reciprocating piston. Such pumps are expensive; they occupv considerable space; they often require the provision of a gear drive and they necessitate the use of properly actuated valves to determine the times at which suction shall be created and relieved. In the machine of the Carter patent above referred to, there is a vertical rock shaft which actuates the device for 3 separating the picker elements at the transfer point and this rock shaft is accuratelytimed with reference to the motion of the transfer pad. A further object of the present invention is to take advantage of the presence of this oscillatory shaft by employing it for actuating a very simple? suction-creating devicawhich (without valves-and without requiringuinter'ven ing gearing) derives its motion directly from this oscillatory shaft and creates and releases the suction at the proper times inthe cycle.

A further object is to provide suction-creating mati c.transfer padsuchasto insure uniform.

adhesionzof the label .regardless of'any slight inclination of the sidewall of the article to whichthedabel is to be. applied. Otherand further-objects and advantages. of ,the invention will'be; pointed-.out-;in the following; more detailed description and lay-reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig; 1 is a fragmentaryrear.elevation .(certain parts being. omitted) of a label-applying machine ofzthe straight-away type, embodying the present invention;

Fig; 2is a fragmentary vertical section, to larger scale, on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 3."is.a diagrammatic, fragmentary, transverse. section substantially on the line:33 .of Fig.

. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the means. for supporting-the two picker elements and for moving them toward'and from each other; 7

Figs. 5, 6, '7 and8 arefragmentary, diagram matic frontelevations, .to small scale, illustrating the cycle'of relative movement of the two picker elements;

Fig. 9 is a'fragmentary side elevation, partly in.

vertical section illustrating the-picker-strokecontrolneans of the present'in ention, the parts being shown in the position which-they normally occupyfwhen an article is about to-be: delivered to the label-receiving position and-with the picker at the limit'of itsnormal picking stroke;

Fig: 10 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 9

but showing theparts-of the 'con rol'mechanism' in therelative positions which they occupy atthe "end-of thenormallabelingdelivery stroke of the picker;

Fig. 11 is-a fragmentary section on the line Iii-f Fig. 10;

Fig. 12'isa fragmentary side elevation generally similar to Fig. 9 but showing the picker at the limit of its abnormal or shortened picking stroke when no article is in position to receive a label;

Fig. 13 is aview similar to Fig. 10 but showing the picker at the limit of its abnormal or augmented delivery stroke when no article is in p0? sition to receive a label;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary front elevation, to

. fixed to it the. upper end of a lever Illwhich has a pad to conform to the slope of the surface to which the label is to be applied; and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view, to larger scale than Fig. 3, showing details of the bellowstype pump desirably employed in the practice of the present invention.

Reference may be had .to :the abovepatents to Ekvall and Carter,.-and-'to, .tl1e;patent to Holm No. 1,901,101, dated March 14, 1933 (referred to in;the Carter patent), for structural details, not herein specifically described.

Referringto the drawings (Figs. 1 and 2), the numeral I designates a table or bedconstituting a supportfor; the label-attaching appliances of the present invention. this bed being supported inany suitable way, for example by legs (not shown), at a desirable elevation above the floor. Below this bed and supported in appropriate bearings (not here shown) is the power-driven cam shaft 2 which is driven at a substantially constantspeed by an individual .motor or other source of energy,

Uprightframe members 3 are secured at their The machine. herein illustrated, by way of example, is a,

lower ends. to the bedor table I.

straight-away machine of the'kind illustrated in the Ekvall patent and has a rectilinear guideway, here shown as comprising parallel spaced: rails 4 upon which the articles to be labeledare;

supported andalongwhich they-are propelled step-by-step in the performance of the operation. As-illustrated in-Figs. 1 and12, the mechanism is shown as operating upon square-shaped bottles; A having paneled 'faces to receive the-labels, but

it is to be understood that the mechanism is equally well adapted for labeling flat, oval or other shaped bottles, containers or packages and when, the'terms bottle or: article. are herein employed, such termsareiritended to include all such containers and articles" for thelabeling of;

which the mechanism here disclosed isapplicable,

As shown in Fig. 2, retaining; rails 5-are arranged above and parallel with and tothe rear other: elements, parts 'I (Fig. 2) which engage the sides of the'articles to push or propel them intermittently along the guideway.

The label magazine 8may be-of conventional type having means for supporting a stack of labels L in such a way thatthe bottom label may readily. be withdrawnfrom the stackby thepicker.

At the upper forward part of the machine there p is arranged a transverse. shaftQ, Fig. 2, supported in bearings in the frame members 3 and having a gum-transfer roll I I J'ournaled' at its lower .end. Theshaft 9 also has acrank arm I2 fixed to it.

The upper end of a connectingrod I 3 is pivotally connected to the forward end of the crank arm l2 and extendsdownto a point below the table 9 I where it is pivotallysecured to the forward end larger scale, of the-pneumatic. transfer pad and Fig. 14 and illustratingthemeans for tilting the 7.": it

of a-lever I iwhose rear end is fulcrumedon a shaft !5 mounted in a-bracket I6 secured to the underside of the table The -lever arm I l is 'ded with acam roll atan intermediate point h engages a cam fixed-to v.he shaft 2,

to cooperate with the other elements'of the machine in the labeling operation.

Supported on the forward part of the table i (Fig. 2) is a reservoir 1 8 for gum or other suitable adhesive and a rotating roll 19 is journaled in suitable bearings, carried by the gum receptacle, and so positioned that as the gum-transfer roll I I is swung forwardly. its surface contacts the peripheral surface of the rotating roll I9 and thus is coated with gum.

At the upper rear portion of the machine there is arranged a transverse shaft 20 which supports the picker device. This picker device is here il lustrated, by way of example, as of the kind disclosed in the Carter patent above referred to. Thus, the shaft 20 carries a pair of sleeves 2| and 22 which are free to slide axially of the shaft but which are so connected to the shaft that they turn with it. These sleeves are provided with brackets 23 and 24. respectively, to which the upper ends of the picker blades 25 and 25 are secured. These blades are of generally conventional type such as used in machines in which the pickin of the labels is accomp ished by means of gum-coated pickers and have the slo s 21 and 28 to accommodate the lab l-retaining hooks of the label magazine.

A vertical, oscillatory shaft 29 is arranged at the left-hand side of the machine, a viewed in Figs. 1 and 4, this shaft corresponding in function to the oscillatory vertical shaft shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 9 of the Carter patent. At its upper end this shaft is provided with an elongate plate 30 to whose opposite ends connecting rods 31 (one only being shown) are pivotally connected, the opposite ends of the respective rods being secured to sleeves 32 and 32 which are arranged to slide on a shaft 32 para lel to shaft 25. By means of this oscillatory shaft 29 and the connections which are described more in detail in the Carter patent, the picker elements 25 and 26 are moved toward and away from each other so as at various times in the opera ion to occupy the relative positions shown in Figs. 5 to 8, respectively. The shaft 29 extends down through an opening in the table and is provided at its lower end with a crank arm having a pin which engages a cam groove in the periphery of a cam 33 (Fig. l) on shaft 2.

A shaft 34, Figs. 1 and 2, is arranged transversely of the machine just above the table I and below the guideway for the articles. This shaft has a crank arm 35 ecured to it. The forward end of this crank arm is pivotally connected to the connecting rod 36 which passes down through an opening in the table I and whose lower end is connected to the forward end of a lever 31 which is fulcrumed at its rear end on the shaft l5. engages the periphery of a cam 39 fixed to the shaft 2.

A second arm 40 (Fig. 2) is secured to the arm 34 and constitutes a support for the label transfer pad. Referring more particularly to Figs. 14 and 15, the arm 40 is provided near its upper end with a boss 4| in which is secured a stub shaft 42 on which turn ears projecting from the rear face of a pad-carrying plate 43. A coiled compression spring 44 bears, at its opposite ends, against the upper part of the arm 40 and the upper portion of the pad-carrying plate, respectively, thus tending to swing the upper part This lever has a roll 38 which of the pad-carrying plate clockwise '(Fig. 15),

that is to say, toward the article uide. An adjustable stop screw 45, having threaded engagement with an opening in the arm 40, is arranged to limit Such swinging movement of the pad carrier. The pad carrier is provided with an up- Wardly extending rigid arm 46. provided at its upper end with the adjustable stop screw 47 which, at times in the cycle of operations, en-

gages a fixed abutment 48 secured at .its upper end to a fixed member 49 of the machine frame.

The transfer pad 50 is here illustrated as of the pneumatic or suction type. construction may be conventional, its label-contacting face being provided with a multitude of suction orifices (see Fig. 7), all of which communicate with an interior chamber or chambers from which one or more flexible suction conduits 5! lead to a manifold, mounted on the arm 45, from which a single flexible suction conduit v52 leads to the pump or other suction-creating device. As here illustrated, Figs. 3 and 16, the opposite end of the conduit 52 is secured to a rigid tube 53 which is fixed in an opening in one of the frame members 3. This tube has an extension 54 which is rigidly secured to one head 55 of a metallic bellows 56 of conventional type. The movable head. 51 of this bellows is connected by a rod 58 to a crank pin 59 secured to a crank arm 60 fixed to the lower part of the oscillatory shaft 29, which, as above described, controls the opening and closing movement of the picker elements. As the shaft 29 oscillates, the bellows device 55 is expanded and contracted in accurately timed relation to the operation of the pickers, thus creating alternate suction and pressure at the orifices in the suction pad.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the machine is provided with a feeler lever 6! mounted upon a vertical shaft 62 so as to swing in a horizontal plane. This lever 5| carries the feeler member 63 which is so disposed relatively to the guideway along which the articles move that it is contacted by such articles as they move toward The location of the feeler is such, relative to the rate of advance of articles along the guide- Way andv to the cycle of operations of the machine, that if an article A is in the detecting position at the commencement of the cycle which will result in the application of a label to that particular article when said article arrives at the label-applying station (just to the rear of the transfer pad), then such cycle will be a normal cycle; if at the commencement of said cycle there is no article A at the detecting position, then the cycle will be an abnormal cycle during which no label is taken from the magazine.

Two crank arms 66 and 5? (Figs. 10-13) are mounted on the picker-supporting shaft 20. The arm 66 is fixed to this shaft, while the arm 6'! may rotate relatively to the shaft. These arms 76 have normally abutting parts which are nor- Its internal "mally maintained in:v contact with each :other 'by a. strong spring S-.; However, the arms fifi'and 6.l may.move relatively; to each other, as-permitted; by extensionv of the-spring S, so as to prevent a smashifthe-picker should-encounter anobstacle-during itsrearward travel.

A picker-actuating rod 68=extends down through.

ancpeningin the table! and is connected at itslower-endto alever 69 .-(Fig..3) fulcrurned on part pivotally-connected, the upper end of this partwK beingpivoted on a crank pin- H- projecting from theforward end of thecrank'arm 6L the-rod fifi'to the crank arm 67, as hereafter more fully described. 7

TheparttK, has arigidarm 12, and an abutment surface 73 which normally engages the upper end of the head H and prevents the knuckle jointfrom'breaking in the wrong-direction. The arm.!21;is,.connected by a-spring Tito abracket l6 projecting from the head H. This spring.

linormally. holdstheparts K and H in vertical axialv alignment; and tends to restore the knuckle. joint'to normal condition when it has been -broken.- Thepart K also has an arm 12 to which ispivotally connected the upper end of. a,-dep ending rod Tlprovided with a hookr'ls at its'lower end.

Agstub shaft '59 is-secured to one of-the-frame membersiuand constitutes a'pivot for a controlemberfifif A friction-washer -8 l (Fig -1 1) bears againstthe outer surface of the control member and is pressed against the latter by a compressionspring, 82. This arrangementpermits the control'member B8- to be swungabout the pivot I pin 79- but retains the control member temporarily inany. position in which it may-beswung.

' Preferably-the control member has a handlettl: projecting-above its pivot by meanscf whichit.

maybe moved manually; if desired. This control member, 8il has a hook 85 at its lower end;

and above the hookthecontrol member is shaped to provide the camsurfaces 86, 8'! and 88 (Fig;

10), the latter forming one wall of an open recess or slot 9.1!. The arm 12of the part K, above de scribed, isprovidedwith a; pin 14 on which is mounted a roller 9!, which at times cooperates with the. hook 85 and at other timeswith the cam surfaces of the control member 88.

The operation ofthe mechanism is substantially as follows assuming that the parts H and K. are iii-vertical alignment, as shown inFig. 9, this being the normal position of the parts when articlesare being fed in proper succession along the-guideway. Assuming that articles are moving along the guideway in orderlysuccession and that. anarticle A, in approaching the labeling statiomhas reached'the detecting position (Fig. 3), this article engages thefeeleror detector 63 andv thus holds the latter in the position indicated in Fig. 3.so.,that the tailportion 65 of the lever 61 islocated relativelyto the book 78, as shown in Fig. 9. The-rod 29 is oscillating back andforthonce duringeach cycle of the machineoperations and the rods i3, and 68 are movingup and down once for each cycle. Normally, an ,-artic1e arrives-at the detecting position, as indicatedat A (Fig. 3), just at the completion o f the previous.label-applying cycle, the transferpadbeingat the extreme, rearwardlimit of Therparts-H and -K constitute 'theelements of arknuckle joint for transmitting motion fromtact with the gum roll! 9 andth'earmdras-swung;

rearwardly. As the rod 68=startsupwardly to move the picker elements toward the magazine,. the hook l8 movesidly up pastthe stop element. 65, theknuckle'joint elements K andwHremain;

in normal alignment,- the picker elements 25e-and 26rare contacted-by thenow forwardly-swinging; transferflroll II and receive a coating of adhesive: (these elements at this time being relatively positioned as shown in'Fig. 5) andthe picker elements-then continue on. up toward the label: magazine- 8 until the-gum-coated surfacesofthe-- picker elements are brought "into contact with. the lowermost labelL in the magazine, This. lowermost label adheres to the gummed surg faces of the picker-elements' and the lattertheni swing downwardly away from the magazine; carrying this endmostlabel with them, as. shown in Fig. 6. Thepickersswing down to thetransfer point where 1 the surfaces of the. pickers are, substantially parallel with the-surface of the ar-- ticle-which isto receive the. label.- The pickersp dwell at this point while the transfer pad, 51L is swung upwardly until its.label-contactingsur-- face engages the ungummedfaceof the label. At thisinstant the oscillation of the. shaft 29; causes the bellows. device 55 toexpand, thus creating suction at the suctiomorificesof. thepad. 5t. At the same time, this. oscillation Off .the shaft 29-, actingthrough the-connecting rods;

3i causes the sleeves-32 to move away from each;

other along the shaft .32 ,thus,slifing the-picker, elements 25 and 25.away from each other. and. relatively: to the. label-L,which is held. bysuc .v tion against the pad 50.. Thisv sliding action .uni,-- formly spreads the adhesive over the surface of the label. The pickers moveapartuntilthegy; occupy the relative positions shown in. Fig. '7, whereupon the-transfer pad. enters betweenthe. pickers, carrying thelabel into contact-withthe surface of the articlev A which is to receive it... The. pivotal 'mountingof thev pad 50, on the carry,: ingarmJ-l-D, permits the padfiatocontact. the. label over its entire surfacev (when it first .enr gages the label carriedby the, pickers) so. asto l. insure goodsuction adhesion and. then torock... as. may be necessary, tocause thelabeLto ene. gage the surface of the article to ,be labeled with; uniform pressure. While the surface. to .be labeled may, in the majority ofcases, be substan-. tially. vertical, it is not always. exactly vertical, for example, as illustrated in Fig. .15 where-the, bottle A? is v.of1a larger, diameter at its shoulder. portion than at its bottom so thatthe. surface. A which is to receive the label, slopesrelatively to they vertical. In order to.insure theproper contact of the label with such a sloping surface, the arm, 46. is provided with the stop element, This stop element is adjusted to correspond to the slope of theisurface S so that whenthe. transfer pad approachesthe label-applyingposition, this adjustable stop element 47'will. con-- tact the abutment. A8,.thus, tipping. the padv 56.. to exactly the right inclination.. Immediately. after thelabel has been pressed against the. article, the shaft 29begins tooscillate in the opposite direction, thus. compressing the bellows de: vice. 55s0 as to 'causepressure or at leastto. release thesuctionatthe orifices 50, thus freely, separating the ,pad Eilfrom the label. The labeled. article now advances along. thegu deway andthe.

i from the magazine. ments 25 and 26 do move up far enough to relabel-applying parts return to their initial position while another article is being fed into the label-receiving position.

The above represents the normal operation of the machine and during this operation the picker control mechanism occupies the relative positions shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the parts H and K being vertically aligned. When these parts are so vertically aligned, the upward movement of the rod 68 swings the arm 61 upward to a maximum extent and this arm, by contact with the arm 66, swings the picker shaft 20 and thus carries the pickers all of the way up to the labelpicking position which is the normal limit of the arcuate path of the picker in this direction, as

shown in Fig. 9. Upon the reverse or downward "movement of the rod 68, the arm 6! is likewise swung downwardly and drags the arm 66 with it by means of spring S, the movement in this direction normally being such as to bring the pickers down to the transfer position (which is the normal limit of their motion in this direction) where, they dwell during the transfer of the label to'the pad 50 and while the pickers are separating to permit the pad to pass between them.

'- However, if, when the picker-actuating rod 68 begins to move up at the commencement of the -next cycle of operations, there is no article in contact with the feeler 63 at the detecting position, the spring 64 will have swung the tail member 65 of the feeler lever B! into the path of movement of the hook 18. Thus, as the rod 68 moves up, the hook 18 catches beneath the tail member 65 of the feeler lever and its upward movement is stopped. This causes the arm 12 to .swing downwardly, thus breaking the knuckle joint by throwing the part K out of alignment with the head H of the rod 68. At the same time,

are vertically aligned. Thus the turning of the shaft 26 in this direction by the rod 68 is through a lesser arc than normal and thus the picker 26 fails to reach the label-picking position and thus fails to contact and remove the lower label However, the picker eleceive a coating of adhesive from roll H. The relative position of the picker and the magazine, under these abnormal conditions, is illustrated in Fig. 12.

, -Were the 'adhesively-coated picker to dwell at a result is prevented by the action of the. con- 'trol device 80. pointed out, has been swung to the position of Fig. 12 through the operation of the detector device and intermediate parts.

This control device, as above When in this position and when the rod 68 next starts to move downwardly, the spring 15 immediately restores the parts K and H to normal alignment, but the stud roll 91, carried by the arm 12, comes into contact with the hook 85 of the control device 10 as the rod 68 nears the lower end of its travel. When the stud roll 9| contacts the hook during the downward movement of the rod 68, the arm 72 is swung in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 13), thus again moving the parts K and H into the relative positions shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Thus, the connections between the picker-actuating cam and the shaft 29 are shortened and as the rod 68 moves to the same extent during every cycle, the crank arm 61 is moved downwardly through an abnormally large arc, thus swinging the picker shaft 20 to an extent such that the picker elements are moved beyond the normal transfer position, as illustrated in Fig. 13. Thus, when the pickers dwell, as occasioned by the contour of the picker cam, the transfer pad 50, which comes to rest at the normal transfer point (Fig. 13), is spaced from the adhesivelycoated surfaces of the picker elements 25 and 26 so that the pad 50 does not receive a coating of adhesive.

The parts will continue to function in this abnormal way so long as there is no article delivered along the guideway to contact, with the feeler 63. However, as soon as an article is properly fed along the guideway to contact the feeler 63, the latter is swung to the position shown in Fig. 3, thus removing the part 65 from the path of the hook 68 and the latter is then free to rise and fall in the normal way. As the rod 68 rises and the spring 15 moves the parts K and H into vertical alignment, the stud roll 9| moves upwardly and engages the cam surfaces 86 and 8'! of the control member 80 and swings the latter in a clockwise direction, thus restoring the parts to the position shown in Fig. 9 where the stud roll 9| is located in the open slot 90 of the part 8!]. The machine now resumes its normal cycle of operations and continues to do so until the absence of an article causes the feeler or detector to initiate the abnormal cycle of operations again.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly inclusive of all modifications fallin within the scope of the appended claims. It is further to. be'understood that while the control mechanismhas here been illustrated by way of example as embodied in a machine ,of the straight-away type, such control mechanism is equally applicable to machines of other type, for example the semi-automatic machine wherein the articles are fed by hand.

I claim:

1. In a labeling machine of the kind wherein a picker element is moved back and forth in an arcuate path during each cycle of operation of the machine and during each cycle receives adhesive from a supply, normally presses its adhesively-coated surface against the exposed label in a magazine, withdraws the label from the magazine and conveys it to a transfer point where it normally dwells during transfer of the label to another part, a picker, a picker-actuating cam designed to move the picker through a path of predetermined and constant arcuate length, the limits of said path normally being at the picking and transfer points, respectively, a detector responsive to the absence of an article to be labeled at a detecting point, and means controlled by the detector, in the absence of an article at the detecting point, for shifting the limits of the path of the picker so that the picker fails to reach the picking point while moving in one direction and passes beyond the transfer point when moving in theopposite direction.

2. 'In alabeling machine of the kind wherein an adhesivelycoated picker ele'mentis' moved back and forth in a predetermined-path during eachcycle of operation of the machine, normally presses its adhesively-coated surface against the exposed label in a magazine, withdraws the label from the magazine and conveys it to a transfer point where it normally dwells during transfer of the label to another part, a picker, a pickeractuating cam designed to move the picker through a pathofpredetermined' and constant length, the limits of said path normally being at the picking and transfer points, respectively,

' a detector responsive to the absence of an article to'be labeled at a detecting point, means controlled by the'detector, in the absence of an article at the detecting point, for shifting the limits of the path of the picker so that the picker passes beyond the transfer point before it dwells, andmeans operative at every cycle ofthe ma- *ehinetoapplyadhesive to the picker as the latter 'm'ove toward the picking position.

3. -'In a labeling machine ofthe kind wherein mitting connections beween the cam and picker, 1 said motion-transmitting means comprislng a connection of 'variablelength and means operative, at times, to change the'length of said connection thereby to' limit the travel of the picker toward the"magazine sufi'iciently to prevent the l picker from contacting a label in the magazine but without interfering with the-application of adhesive tothe picker, and means operative so to shorten said connection as to 'augm'entthe 'm'oveme'nt of "the picker in its movement away from the magazina'thereby to prevent the picker from dwelling at' the normal transfer point.

4.-In alab'eling' machine of thek'ind wherein a picker element normally receives adhesive from ra supplyfnormally presses 'its adhesive-coated surface-against'the exposed label in a magazine, withdraws the labelfrom the magazine and con- -veys it and normally causes it'to dwell at a transfer point, a movablepipker, a picker actuating cam designed to move the'picker through a path of such extent as to permit it to perform its "normal cycle of operations, aridmotion-transmitting connections between the cam and picker,

l'said motion-transmitting means including a knuckle j oint,a detector which moves to a cyclemodifying position when it is not engaged by an article to belabeled, and'control means, responsive to said position of the detector, operative to break the knuckle joint as the picker approaches the transfer point. p t

*5, In a labeling machine of the kind wherein a picker element normally receives adhesive from a: supply, normally presses its adhesive-coated "surface against the exposed label in a'magaz'ine,

"withdraws the label from the magazine and conf'veys it and normally causes it to dwell at a trans-- ffer -pointya movable -picker, a picker-actuating -cain designed to move the picker through a path of such extent as to permit it to perform its normal-cycle of'op'erations, and motion-transmitting for point, a movable' picker, a picker-actuating cam designed to move thepicjker' throu'gh'a path of'isuch extent asto permit it toperform its nor malcyjclefof operations, and motiOn transmitting "of the'knucklejoint to assume-anabnormal angular position, i 1 7 7. In a labeling-machine Qf the kindWherein connections btvveen the tea ami 'pickr, -s'aid motion-transmitting means 1ncluding-a-khii flcle joint having part which are fiorfnally aligrid,

"a detector which 'fnov'e's to an abnormal po'sition when it is n'ot engaged by an article to be labeled, a contact member carried by one elem'ent' oftlie 'knucklejoint and which moves through a noir'nal path 'as the pickeroscillates; and a movable' 'stop member whose'position is controlled by the detector and" which, when Y the detector assumes said abnormal'position, engages said contact member and so changes the motion of" the latter as to break the-knuckle joint as the picker moves toward the transfer position.

6. In a labeling machine of the kind wherein a picker element normally receives adhesive from a supply, normallypresses its-"adhesive-coate'd surface against the"'exposed label in a magazine, withdraws the label from the magazine anaconveys it and normally causes itto dwell at atransfer point,a movable picker, apicker-actuati'ng 3 Cam designed to move-the-picker through-a path of such extent as to'pe'r'm'it it to perform its normal cyele 'of operations, and means'for transmitting motion from the cam to the pickrfsaid motion-transmitting means including a "knuckle joint comprising two pivotally-connected elements which are normally kept in alignment by' a' spring but which'are capable of relative movement to an abnormal angular positionfone of said elements having a rigid arm provided with BFStlid, ell-pivotally 'supportedhook 1 device which is normallyout cf the 'p'ath'of sa'i'd studiandrneans operative'to move the hook deviee into the pathofthe stud thereby to stop the latter and cause the elements a picker element, at each cycle of operation,receives adhesive from a supply, normally-presses its adhesive-coated surf ace against the exposed label 'in'a maga'z-ine,\vithdraws the label from the fmagazine and conveys it and normally causes it to dwell at a transfer point, a movable picker, a v picker-actuatingcam designed to move the picker -throu'gh a-path of suchextentas to permit it to perform its normal cycle of operations, and motion tra'n'smitting connections between the" cam and picker, said motion-transmitting means ineluding-a knuckle-joint comprising two elements "which are normally aligned but which are capable of relative movement to an abnormal angular position, a spring which tends to restore said elefments to normal position, one of 'said elements having a rigid" arm, and stopineanseng'ag'eable, at times; with 'said arm, as the picker movestoward transfer position, to cause said elements of theknuckle joint to assume an abnormal angular position.

"8.' Ina labeling machine of'the kind wherein a. picker element normally receives adhesive from connections between the cam andfpicker, said "motion-transmitting means including a knuckle 'o'int comprising two pivotally eonnect'ed'elements i'ch are normallykept 'inalignment by a'spring,

on'eof said elements receiving motion from the p'icker'cam'and theotlier of said elements being connected to the picker, said elements being capable of assuming an angular relation, means operative, at times, to cause said elements to assume such angular relation as the picker moves toward the magazine, and means responsive to such angular relation of the parts to cause said elements to assume said angular relation again as the picker next approaches the transfer point.

9. In a labeling machine of the kind wherein a picker element, at each cycle of operation, receives adhesive from a supply, normally presses its adhesive-coated surface against the exposed label in a magazine, withdraws the label from the magazine and conveys it and normally causes it to dwell at a transfer point, a movable picker, a picker-actuating cam designed to move the picker through a path of such extent as topermit it to perform its normal cycle of operations, and motion-transmitting connections between the cam and picker, said motion-transmitting means including a knuckle joint comprising two pivotally connected elements which are normally aligned, spring means for restoring said elements to alignment if they are moved out of alignment, said elements being capable of assuming an angular relation, means, including a detector operative in the absence of an article to be labeled, to cause said elements to assume such an angular relation as the picker moves toward the magazine, a rigid arm fixed to one of said elements, said arm having a stud near its end, a hook carrier having a hook which is normally out of the path of the stud, and

designed to move the picker through a path of such extent as to permit it to perform its normal cycle of operations, and motion-transmitting connections between the cam and picker, said motion-transmitting means including a knuckle joint comprising two elements which are normally aligned, a spring normally keeping said elements in alignment but permitting them to assume an angular relation, means connecting one of said elements to the picker-oscillating shaft, a rigid arm fixed to said latter element, said arm having a stud near its end, and a pivoted hook carrier having a hook which is normally out of the path of said stud, said hook carrier having a cam element which, at times, is engageable by the stud as the picker moves toward the magazine, thereby to swing the hook carrier so as to dispose its hook in the path of the stud as the picker reverses its motion.

11. In combination in a label-applying machine of the kind which includes a magazine for labels, a two-element picker which swings in an arcuatepath toward and from the magazine, a

zine, means for holding an article to be labeled in the label-receiving position, a transfer pad which takes the label from the picker at a transfer point and applies it to the article, means operative to separate the picker elements to allow the transfer pad with the label to advance be,

tween the picker elements in approaching the article, a feeler which is'responsive to' the presence or absence ofan article at a detecting position, means controlled by the feeler in the absence of an article at the detecting position for so breaking the knuckle joint as the picker advances toward the magazine as to shorten the picker stroke in that direction sufficiently to prevent the picker from receiving a label, and means responsive to such breaking of the knuckle joint as the picker moves toward the magazine to cause the joint to break again as the picker swings in the reverse direction, thereby so to lengthen the picker stroke in the latter direction that the picker does not contact the transfer pad.

12. In combination in a label-applying machine of the kind which includes a magazine for labels, a two-element picker which swings inan arcuate path toward and from the magazine, a rock shaft on which the picker is mounted, a picker-actuating cam, means for transmitting motion from the cam to the rock shaft, said motion-transmitting means including a reciproeating rod and a knuckle joint comprising upper and lower elements, the lower element being fixed to the rod and moving up and. down with the latter, a device for applying adhesive to the picker as the latter approaches the magazine, means for holding an article to be labeled in the label-receiving position, a transfer pad which takes the label from the picker at a transfer point and applies it to the article, means operative to separate the picker elements to allow the transfer pad with the label to advance between the picker elements in approaching the article, a feeler which is re ponsive to the presence or absence of an article at a detecting position, a spring normally holding the upper and lower elements of the knuckle joint in alignment, means controlled by the feeler, in the absence of an article at a detecting position, to rock the upper knuckle joint element out of alignment with the lower element as the picker is making its picking stroke, thereby abnormally to shorten said stroke, a movable control member which is in a normal inoperative position so long as the upper and lower elements of the knuckle joint are in alignment, but which is moved to an operative'position when the upper knuckle joint element is rocked out of alignment with the lower element during the picking stroke of the picker, and a part carried by the upper knuckle joint which engages the control element, when-the latter is in operative position, to rock the upper element of the knuckle joint out of alignment with the lower element as the picker approaches the transfer point.

13. In combination in a label-applying machine of the kind which includes a magazine for labels, a two-element picker which swings in an arcuate path toward and from the magazine, a rock shaft on which the picker is mounted, a picker-actuating cam, means for transmitting motion from the cam to the rock shaft, said motion-transmitting means including a reciprocating rod and a knuckle joint comprising upper and lower elements, the lower element being fixed to the rod and moving up and down with the latter, a device for applying adhesive to the picker' as :the latter approaches 1 the-magazine,

means tor holding an article'to be labeled in the label-receiving f position, a transfer pad which picker elements in approa'ching the article,'- a feeler which is'responsive :to the; presencelor ab- -sence of an article-at a detecting 'position,' tl 1e u'pper'and lower elements of the knuckle joint being normallyheld' in alignment by ai 'spring, means for transmitting motion to the picker shaft from the upper knuckle joint element,

armsprojecting from opposite sides respectively of the upper element of 'the knucklej'oint, a'hook 1 connected to one of said arms,saidhook'being -so-locatedas to be engaged by a feeler-actuated part, in the absence of an articlefrom a'detect ing position, therebyto rock the'upperelement of 'the knuckle joint outbf alignment "with the lower'element of the jointga'mo'vable abutment for limiting movement of the otherarm'thereby to rock the upper element'of the knuckle joint "outof alignment'with thelowerelement of" the joint,'and means for disposing said abutmentin position to engage said latter arm'in'the absence of an article from the 'detecting position.

14. In combination in a label-applying 'machine of the'kind' which includes amagazine' for labels, a two-element picker which swings in "an "-arcuate pathtoward'andfrom the magazina' a rock shaft on"which'th'e picker'is mountedfi a picker-actuating cam, means for transmitting motion'from the camto the rock *shaftjsaid motion-transmitting "means including a reciprocating rod and a knuckle joint comprising upper and lower elements, the lower "element being fixed tothe'rOd andmovingupand down with the latter, a device for applyingadhesive to'the picker as the'latter approaches the magazine, means for holdingan article to be labeled "in the label-receiving position, atransferpad which takes the label from the picker "at atrans- "fer point and applies it to the article, m'eans operative to separate the pickerelements to allow jthe tr'ansfer pad withithe label toadvance between the picker elements "in approaching the article, a feel'er which-isresponsive to theIpreS- ence or absence of an article at'a 'detectin'g po'sition, the upper and lower elements 'of 'thekn'uckle joint being normally held in alignment by'a --sprin'g, means for" transmitting motion 'to'the 'pick'ershaft from the upper knuckle joint-"element, means controlled'by-the feeler to rock'the upper knuckle joint element but of alignment {with 'the'lower element astherod'risesthereby to shorten the picking stroke of *thepicker in the absence of'an article from a detectingposi- 'tion, an arm' projecting from 'the'upper knuckle I joint element, and means cooperable withsaid arm in the absence of an'article from the'detecting position to rock the upper 'knucklejoint:"ele 'm'ent'out of alignment'with thedowerlr'r'ient "as the rod movesdown, "thereby'to 'a'u'gment'the stroke of the picker in the label -delivering direction.

15. In combination in a label applying ma- "1116 -i od and a knuckle jointcomprising upper and -lowerelements, the lower element being fixedlto the' rod an'dmoving-up and down with the latter, a d'evice for applying adhesive to the picker as 5 the-latter approaches the magazine, means'for holdi-ng an article to be labeled in the label-re- Civing bdsition,atransferpacl which takes the label from the picker at a transfer point and applies it -to-the' 'article, means operative to separate the picker elements to allow the transfer pad w'ith' the label'to advance between the picker --'lements in approaching the article, a feeler which is responsive to the presence or absence of an article at a detecting position, the upper and -lower elements of the knuckle joint being nor- "m'ally held in alignment by a spring, means for transmitting motion to the picker shaft from the upper knu'ckle joint element, a'hook pivotally connected to the upper-knucklejoint element,

said hook being-so located as to be engaged by "a'feeler actuated member in the absence of an article from a detecting position during the pick- -ingstroke of the picker, thereby rocking the upper knucklejoint element out of alignment with *the lower element, and a movable abutment fwhich --isso positioned relatively to the upper knu'ckle joint element,'in response to said rocking of the latter by the hook, as to cause the upper knuckle j oint element to rock out of alignment with the lower element as the picker moves in making its reverse stroke.

-16. In combination in a label-applying ma- :chine of the'kind which includes a magazine In -forlabels, a two-element picker which swings in anarcu'ate path toward and from the magazine, a rock shaft on which the picker is mounted, a picker-actuating cam, means for transmitting moti'on from1the cam to therock shaft, said motion-transmitting means including a reciprocating'rod and a knuckle joint comprising upper and lower elements, the lower element being fixed to the rod'and moving up and down with the latter, a device for applying adhesive to the ':picker as the latter'approaches the magazine,

"' means for holding anarticle to'be labeled in the label-receiving position, a transfer pad which takes the label from the picker at a transfer point and appliesitlto' the article, means operative to separate the'pickerelements to allow the transfer'pa'd with thellabel to advance between the Spick'e'relements in approaching the: article, a feeler which is responsive to the presence or absence ofan article ata detecting position, the

upper and'lower'elements of the knuckle joint b'e'iii'g normally held in alignment by a spring, means 'fortransmittingmotion to the picker sh'aft'fro'mthe upper knuckle joint element, a hook pivotally connected to the upper knuckle joint element, said hook being so located as to be engaged-by a feeler-actuated member in the absence of an article from a detecting position during-the picking stroke of the picken -thereby rocking the upper knuckle joint element outof 5 alignment with the lower element, a 'pivotall-y supported abutment which-normally occupiesan inoperative posit on, a'ipart fixed to -the up er element of'the'knucklejoint which-engages the abutment, when the latter is in operative posi- 7 tion, thereby to rock the upper; element of the knuckle joint out 'of'alignment-with the;lower e ement'and'means for moving-said abutment to 'the operative position'when the upper knuckle ljoint element isrockecl by the action of the hook.

17. In combination in :a-label-applying machine of thekind which includes a magazine for labels, a two-element picker which swings in an arcuate path toward and from the magazine, a rock shaft on which the picker-is mounted, a picker-actuating cam, means for transmitting motion from the cam to the rock shaft, said motion-transmitting means including a reciprocating rod and a knuckle joint comprising upper and lower elements, the lower element being fixed to the rod and moving up and down with the latter, a device for applying adhesive to the picker as the latter approaches the magazine, means for holding an article to be labeled in the label-receiving "position, a transfer pad which takes the label from the picker at a transfer point and applies it to the article, means operative to separate the picker elements to allow the transfer pad with the label to advance between the picker elements'in approaching the article, a feeler which is responsive to the presence or absence of an article at a detecting position, the upper and lower elements of the knuckle joint being normally held in .alignment'by a spring, means for transmitting motion to the picker shaft from the upper knuckle joint element, a hookpivotally suspended from the upper knuckle joint element, said hook being so located as to be engaged by a feeler-actuated member in the absence of an article from a detecting position during thepicking stroke of the picker, thereby rocking the upper knuckle joint element out of alignment with thelowerelement, an elongate pivotally suspended control member, friction means operative to retain the control member in any position in which it may be placed, the control member having cam faces and an abutment, a lateral arm carried by the upper knuckle joint element, said arm having a part which is operative, as the picker makes its picking stroke by engagement with a cam face of the control member, to swing the latter from a normally inoperative position to an operative position whenever the upper knuckle joint element is rocked by the action of the hook, the abutment of the control member being so located, when the abutment is in operative position, as to limit movement of said lateral arm and thereby to rock the upper element of the knuckle joint out of alignment with the lower element as the picker approaches the transfer point.

18. In combination in a label-applying machine of the kind which includes a magazine for labels, a two-element picker which swings in an arcuate path toward and from the magazine, a rock shaft on which the picker is mounted, a picker-actuating cam, means for transmitting motion from the cam to the rock shaft, said motion-transmitting means including a reciprocating rod and a knuckle jointcomprising upper and lower elements, the lower element being fixed to the rod and moving up and down with the latter, a device for applying adhesive to the picker as the latter approaches the magazine, means for holding an article to be labeled in the label-receiving position, a transfer pad which takes the label from the picker at a transfer point and applies it to the article, means operative to separate the picker elements to allow the transfer pad with the label to advance between the picker elements in approaching the article, a feeler which is responsive to the presence or absence of an article at a detecting position, the upper and lower elements of the knuckle joint being normally held in alignment by a spring, means for transmitting motion to the picker shaft from the upper knuckle joint element, a hook pivotally suspended from the upper knuckle joint element, said hook being so located as to be engaged by a feeler-actuated member in the absence of an article from a detecting position during the picking stroke of the picker, thereby rocking the upper knuckle joint element out of alignment with the lower element, an elongate control member pivotally suspended from its upper end, means tending to hold the control member in any position to which it may be swung, the control member having inclined cam faces and having a hook near its lower end, a lateral arm carried by the upper knuckle joint element, said arm having a roll stud at its end which cooperates with the cam faces of the control member, the roll being engageable with one of said cam faces when the upper and lower elements of the knuckle joint are aligned as the picker-actuating rod rises, thereby to swing the control member to an inoperative position and being engageable with a cam face of the control member, when the upper and lower elements of the knuckle joint have been rocked out of alignment in response to the action of the hook, thereby to swing the control member to an operative position wherein the hook of the control member lies in the path of the roll, the parts being so arranged that engagement of the roll with the hook of the control member rocks the upper element of the knuckle joint out of alignment with the lower element as the picker reverses its direction of movement.

19. In combination in a label-applying machine of the kind which includes a magazine for labels, a two-element picker which swings in an arcuate path toward and from the magazine, a rock shaft on which the picker is mounted, a pickeractuating cam, means for transmitting motion from the cam to the rock shaft, said motiontransmitting means including a reciprocating rod and a knuckle joint comprising upper andlower elements, the lower element being fixed to the rod and moving up and down with the latter, a device for applying adhesive to the picker as the latter approaches the magazine, means for holding an article to be labeled in the label-receiving position, a transfer pad which takes the label from the picker at a transfer point and applies it to the article, means operative to separate the picker elements to allow the transfer pad with the label to advance between the picker elements in approaching the article, a feeler which is responsive to the presence or absence of an article at a detecting position, a control member which is moved from a normal inoperative position to an operative position if the knuckle joint is broken as the picker moves toward the magazine, and means engageable with the control member, when the latter is in operative position, to cause the knuckle joint to break again as the picker next swings in the reverse direction, thereby to lengthen the picker stroke in the latter direction so that the picker does not contact the transfer pad.

20. In combination in a label-applying machine of the kind which includes a magazine for labels, a two-element picker which swings in an arcuate path toward and from the magazine, a rock shaft on which the picker is mounted, a picker-actuating cam, means for transmitting motion from the cam to the rock shaft, said motion-transmitting means including a reciprocating rod and a knuckle joint comprising upper and lower elements, the lower element being fixed to the rod and moving up and .down with the latter, a device for applying adhesive to the picker as the latter approaches the magazine, means for applies it to the article, means operative to separate the picker elements to allow the transfer pad with the label to advance between the picker elements in approaching the article, a feeler which is responsive to the presence or absence of an article at a detecting position, a movable control member which is in a normal inoperative position so long as the knuckle joint remains unbroken, but which is moved from its normal position to an operative position if the knuckle joint is broken during the picking stroke of the picker, and means engageable with the control member, when the latter is in operative position, to cause the knuckle joint to be broken again as the picker next approaches the transfer point.

21. In combination in a label-applying machine wherein a label is applied to the article to be labeled by alabel holding pad, a rock arm for moving the pad toward and from the label-applying position, a pad carrier pivotally connected substantially midway between its opposite edges to said rock arm, the pivotal axes of the rock arm and pad carrier being parallel, a pad secured to the carrier, a spring tending to turn the pad carrier about its pivotal axis, and an adjustable stop operative to limit such movement.

22. In combination in a label-applying machine wherein a label is applied to the article to be labeled by a label-holding pad, a rock arm for moving the pad toward and from the label-applying position, a pad carrier pivotally connected midway between its opposite edges to said rock arm, the pivotal axes of the rock arm and pad carrier being parallel, a pad secured to the carrier, an adjustable stop operative to limit such movement, and abutment means operative to rock the pad carrier about its pivotal axis in opposition to the spring as the pad approaches the label-applying position.

23. In combination in a label-applying machine wherein a label is applied, to the article to be labeled by a label-holding pad, a rock arm for movingthe pad toward and from the label-applying position, a pad carrier pivotally connected midway between its opposite edges to said rock arm, the pivotal axes of the rock arm and pad carrier being parallel, a pad secured to the carrier, and means operative to position the pad carrier so that the label-contacting face of the pad is parallel to the label-receiving face of the article to be labeled as the label is pressed against the article by the pad.

24. In combination in a label-applying machine wherein an article to belabeled, having an upright face to receivethe label, is supported upon a suitable support at the label-applying position, an applicator pad for applying the label to said upright face of the article, a rock arm mounted to turn about a horizontal axis, a pad carrier pivotally connected intermediate its upper and lower edges to the upper part of the rock arm so as to rock about a horizontal axis, a spring intermediate said arm and the carrier so arranged as to tend to rock the upper part of the carrier away fromthe arm, an adjustable stop for limiting such movement, a rigid arm projecting upwardly from the pad carrier, and adjustable. abutment means, including a part carried by said arm, for positioning the pad carrier so that the label-contacting face of the pad is parallel to the label-receiving face of the article as the label is pressed against the article by the pad.

SIDNEY T. CARTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 786,495 Haulick Apr. 4, 1905 2,414,019 Carter Jan. '7, 1947 

